IceHogs News

Rockford, Ill.- The Manitoba Moose knocked off the Rockford IceHogs 3-1 after the Moose rattled off three third period goals on Saturday in front of 5,593 fans at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Tonight's matchup looked nothing like the scoring barrage that was seen earlier in the contest between the two clubs. The outcome, however, ended up the same as the IceHogs fell victim to a late third period goal surge by the Moose.

While the IceHogs kept a handle on the action late, a Moose goal by Cody Hodgson over the glove of Hannu Toivonen at 15:20, changed the momentum quickly. Travis Ramsey received an assist on the netter, to make it all square at 1-1.

Manitoba was able to quickly snatch the lead when Jeff Tambellini was found between the circles at 16:47, to make it a 2-1 Moose lead. Mario Bliznak and Kevin Clark factored in with assists on the play.

Immediately following the two goals, Manitoba all but sealed up the victory, when Tambellini netted his second of the game at 16:47. Baumgartner added to his point total by receiving an assist on the play. Tambellini's goal deflated the IceHogs chances at getting back to tie the contest.

The first period saw back and forth action with Manitoba leading the way in terms of shots 6-5, due in part to two power-play opportunities. The IceHogs best scoring opportunity came late in the first period when Garnet Exelby found a streaking Rob Klinkhammer on a breakaway, but Klinkhammer was unable to convert.

The second period saw more of the same in terms of special teams, with both teams squandering power play chances. Despite both teams being scoreless, Rockford was able to control the offensive action during the period outshooting the Moose 16-4. Manitoba's goaltender Eddie Lack continued to come up big and hold the IceHogs from getting on the board.

With the IceHogs continuing to control pressure within the Moose zone, the Hogs found themselves on the man advantage again in the third period and they were finally able to convert with a Ben Smith tally to take a 1-0 lead at 5:02. Lack, turned away Shawn Lalonde’s initial shot from the point but Smith was right there to chip in his second goal of the season. Igor Makarov was also credited with an assist.

The IceHogs went 1-for-8 on the power play, while Manitoba went 0-for-5. Lack picked up the win turning away 28 chances. Toivonen was tagged with the loss after stopping 18 shots.

Next Home Game: Tuesday, Nov. 9 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Puck drop is at 6:35 p.m. This will be the only Tuesday game at the MetroCentre in 2010-11. The game is the back-end of a home-and-home series against Peoria.